Construction product with slotted panels and annular connectors

ABSTRACT

A construction product for randomly fabricating shelves, divider, etc., comprises a plurality of panels, which have slots that are parallel to and adjacent to edges of such panels, and annular connectors, each of which can be press fitted into the adjacent slots of such panels. The angular relationships among the panels may be selected with great versatility and the angular connectors join selected edges of the panels with respect to each other in order to provide selected anchor points.

United States Patent lnventor- I Karlis E. Grinbergs.

' l Louders Lane, Jamaica Plain, Mass.

02130 AppLNo. 739,453 Filed June 24, 1968 Patented 1 Jan. 12, 1971 CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT WITH SLOTTED 1 PANELS AND ANNULAR CONNECTORS v 6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

u.s.c|, 211/135, r '46/31:52/285.52/586:108/59 Int. Cl .L A57f 55/00, p A63h 33/10: E04h l/40 Field of Search References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 6/1965 Skiba 287/189.36D 10/1914 Oechsle 287/189.36A 8/1922 Moyer 287/1 89.36A 10/1932 Wilson 52/282X 1/1947 Carson 46/31 9/ 1 966 Sorensen 46/311 Primary ExaminerJohn E. Murtagh Attorney-Morse, Altman & Oates ABSTRACT; A construction product for randomly fabricating shelves, divider, etc,, comprises a plurality of panels, which have slots that are parallel to and adjacent to edges of such panels, and annular connectors, each of which can be press fitted into the adjacent slots of such panels. The angular relationships among the panels may be selected with great ver- ,satility and the angular connectors join selected edges of the panels with respect to each other in order to provide selected anchor points.

- PATENTEUJANJQIQIIW- snmiorz I II N h Emu INV ENTOR KARLIS E. GRINBERGS ATTORNEYS wPATENTEDJAMZISTI 3-55-43 INVENTOR KARLIS E. GRINBERGS ATTORNEYS CONSTRUCTION ritonucr WITH, SLOTTED PANELS AND ANNULAR CONNECTORS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to a construction system for fabricating a variety of useful configurations and, more particularly, to versatile construction components for use in the handy fabrication of shelves, toys, privacy screen, structural models, planters, supports etc. T his system utilizes essentially a single type of slotted panel and a single type of annular connectorsAlthough the prior art is replete with a great number connectors, which can be press fitted into a plurality of suchslots in order to fixadjacent edges of a corresponding plurality of panels with respect to each other. The arrangement is in the form of atruss, in which the panels serve as tension and compression elements and in which the connectors serve to define anchor points.

Other objects of the present invention will in part be obvi- 'ous and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the product having the components and interrelationships, which are defined in the BRIEF oEsciu rioN orrnaoimwmos order-to provide both tensile and compressive strength, particularly at the slotted comers. In certain applications. primarily small constructions such as toys or the like, panels I alternatively are composed of cardboard, fiberboard or plastic. Ring 22 is composed of a metal. such as aluminum or a plastic such as nylon, having high tensile strength so as to retain the panels in position about the axis of the ring no matter what the normal stresses and strains to which they may be subjected.

As shown in FIG. 2, the panels are arranged in three tiers 38, 40, 42 and five uprights 44, 46, 48, 50, 52. Each of the tiers is composed of four panels and each of the uprights is composed of two panels, all of the adjacent corners of the panels being anchored together by rings 22. On upper tier 42 are: a tent-shaped enclosure 52 of triangular cross section; and

. a ferris wheel shaped shelf 54 of hexagonal cross section.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in'connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG.1 is a perspective view of one form of joint formed by panels and a connector, inaccordance with the present invert tion', I

FIG. illustrates aj. shelving configuration, composed of panels and connectors of the type shown in FIGJ;

, FIG. 4 is a broken away detail view' of another modification ofthejointofFIG'l; i 1 FIG. 5 is a perspective ,view of an alternative form of joint formed by .panelsand' aconnecto'r, in accordance with the present invention;

In the modification of FIG. 3, a panel 56 is provided with a slot 58, having a superposed hole 60, which is adjacent to the outer extremity of the slot. Press fitted into the slot is a ring 62, the outer edge of which is flaired as at 64. The flaired edge 64 generally is substantially greater in width than the width of the slot so that when the ring is press'fitted into the slot. the flaired edge of the ring is caught in detent fashion by hole 60. -In FIG. 4, a panel 66 is provided with intersecting slots 68, the

portion of the panel atthe comer, being cut away as at 70. Press fitted into the slot and resting against .the cut away portion of panel 66 is the ring 72 which is part of a cap having a head 74. The cap of FIG. 4i provides a somewhat different appearance from the rings of FIG. 1, 2, 3.

With the embodiment of FIG. 5, a. construction of the present invention may be developed in three dimensions. Each of panels 76 is provided at its comers with two intersecting slots 78, 80, each of which is adjacent to and parallel to one of the edges of panel 76. In consequence, the extreme comer of the panel 76 has a notch in the form of two edges 80, 82,

which constitute extensions of the slots andwhich are at right following way. Ring firstis press fitted into slot 80, together with the related slots of other panels, the outer edge of ring 84 clearing slot 78. Thereafter an additional like ring is press FIG. 6 illustrates a shelving and support configuration, com

.posed of. anels and connectors of the. type shown in FIG. '5;

another alternative embodiment of components of a construction product of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The'construction product of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a plurality of panels 20 and a'plurality of rings 22. In the form shown, allof the panels are generally square, although it will I be understood that rectangular and other configurations are contemplated. Each of panels 20 has ateach of its four corners a slot 24 which is closely adjacent to and parallel to one s of the edges 26 of the corner and which intersects the other of the edges 28 of the comer. As shown, the slots are arranged in pairs which are aligned with each other. The sizes of the slots are alike and the positions of the slots are analogous. Ring 22 has inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, all of the rings being identical in size,.having been cut from a simple tubular blank.

' The thickness and radius of each ring is such that itcan be v FIG. 3 is a broken away detail-view-of a modification of the 45 1 jointofFIGkjl; 1

fitted into slot 78 together with the related slots of other panels,t he outer edge of this ring clearing slot 80. Depending upon the design of the product, an auxiliary locking element maybe press fitted into the outer extremities of these intersecting slots in order to lock the two rings securely into position. I

As shown in FIG. 7, slots are provided medially along the edges of elongated panels 88. These slots, which are shown at 9 0, 92, communicate with the edge of panel 88 via a channel 94. Channel 94 is sufficiently wide to accommodate the width of ring 96, which must pass through openings 94 before being press fitted into either slot or slot 92. In this way panel 88 can be locked to a like panel onto a panel 98'of the type shown in FIG. 1. I

OPERATION AND CONCLUSION The panels and rings of the illustrated product thus may be related optionally with extreme versatility to develop in two or three dimensions different constructions characterized by compartmental spaces and dividing surfaces. The rings in use can be readily removed to permit disassembly. Since certain changes may be made in the foregoing disclosure without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter described in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

lclaim:

1. A shelving product having a plurality of compartments open at the forward and rearward faces comprising a plurality of panel sections and a plurality of rigid annular connectors, each edge of said panel sections having a plurality of elongated slots, each of said slots communicating freely with at least one of said edges and being parallel to at least one of said edges, the width of each of said slots and the thickness of each of said connectors being such that any connector when pressed into any slot is securely retained thereby, said connector pressed into parallel 'slots of adjacent panels fastening securely said adjacent panels to each other.

2. The construction product of claim 1 wherein said panel sections are composed of a high tensile strength material.

3. The construction product of claim 1 wherein said connectors are composed of a high tensile strength material.

4. The construction product of claim 1 wherein at least a pair of slots are formed at a corner of each of said panels, one of said slots being parallel to one of the edges of said corner and the other of said slots being parallel to the other of the edges of said corner.

5. The construction product of claim 1 wherein said slots are formed along a medial edge of said panel and communicate with said edge through a channel, the width of said channel being at least as great as the axial length of said connector.

6. A shelving product comprising a plurality of panel sections and a plurality of rigid annular connectors, each of said panel sections having a plurality of elongated slots. each of said slots communicating freely with at least one of said edges and being parallel to at least one of said edges, the width of each of said slots and the thickness of each of said annular connectors being such that any annular connector when pressed into any slot is securely retained thereby, each of said annular connectors being press fitted into parallel slots of adjacent panels in order to securely fasten said adjacent panels together, said panels being composed of plywood having a plurality of plies, the grain directions of which are crossed in order to provide both tensile and compressive strength, said annular connectors being composed of a high tensile strength material, said shelving product presenting a plurality of compartments open at the forward and rearward faces of said shelving product. 

1. A shelving product having a plurality of compartments open at the forward and rearward faces comprising a plurality of panel sections and a plurality of rigid annular connectors, each edge of said panel sections having a plurality of elongated slots, each of said slots communicating freely with at least one of said edges and being parallel to at least one of said edges, the width of each of said slots and the thickness of each of said connectors being such that any connector when pressed into any slot is securely retained thereby, said connector pressed into parallel slots of adjacent panels fastening securely said adjacent panels to each other.
 2. The construction product of claim 1 wherein said panel sections are composed of a high tensile strength material.
 3. The construction product of claim 1 wherein said connectors are composed of a high tensile strength material.
 4. The construction product of claim 1 wherein at least a pair of slots are formed at a corner of each of said panels, one of said slots being parallel to one of the edges of said corner and the other of said slots being parallel to the other of the edges of said corner.
 5. The construction product of claim 1 wherein said slots are formed along a medial edge of said panel and communicate with said edge through a channel, the width of said channel being at least as great as the axial length of said connector.
 6. A shelving product comprising a plurality of panel sections and a plurality of rigid annular connectors, each of said panel sections having a plurality of elongated slots, each of said slots communicating freely with at least one of said edges and being parallel to at least one of said edges, the width of each of said slots and the thickness of each of said annular connectors being such that any annular connector when pressed into any slot is securely retained thereby, each of said annular connectors being press fitted into parallel slots of adjacent panels in order to securely fasten said adjacent panels together, said panels being composed of plywood having a plurality of plies, the grain directions of which are crossed in order to provide both tensile and compressive strength, said annular connectors being composed of a high tensile strength material, said shelving product presenting a plurality of compartments open at the forward and rearward faces of said shelving product. 